• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Oh, LOOK! Not ANOTHER V8 build thread!!!


Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Oh, and this is the finalized list of parts. My research is complete.

-AFR 185cc heads

- 1.72:1 rockers

- Hardened pushrods

-XE270 cam from COMP Cams

-Trick Flow Track Heat intake

-75mm throttle body

-77mm MAF

-30 lb/hr injectors

-Torque Monster headers

It really is stunning what I've learned in the past nine months. Looking at what I knew when I started this thread vs. what I know know, well there is just no comparison.
 


RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
Yeah, kind of far to make it worth while, but he is almost 200 cheaper. And you definitely can't go wrong with the AFR185's. When I pull mine down for the rebuild I'm getting a set...


SVT
 

Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Yeah, kind of far to make it worth while, but he is almost 200 cheaper. And you definitely can't go wrong with the AFR185's. When I pull mine down for the rebuild I'm getting a set...


SVT
They are some nice ass heads... :headbang:
 

Scrambler82

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
795
Reaction score
11
Points
18
Location
SoCal
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ford/EDGE
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4.5" SL
Total Drop
WWWhhhaaattt !?!
Tire Size
33 x 12.50
Why the 1.7 rockers ?

Why not just a different cam with a little more lift ?

Just asking.
 

Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Comp Cams recommends the 1.7 lifters with the XE270 cam, and when I called them to see which cam they recommended (which was the 270) I also confirmed that it indeed needed the 1.7 rockers.

I'm getting rid of the factory crappy rockers anyways so I'm not going to complain. I'm getting some pretty Scorpion rockers, none better and made in the USA!
 

Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My, my, my... how naive I once was.

Six years later, I've barely touched this. Hell, the truck hasn't been driven in two. After the last post on 12/21/13 the Ranger was rear-ended and has just been in a sad state of decay ever since.

BUT, starting to get back on this. I wonder who's still here?
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
Compared to you, I'm a newby V8 1st gen owner here. I've had mine built for a couple years now. Stock 302 so far..
 

Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Compared to you, I'm a newby V8 1st gen owner here. I've had mine built for a couple years now. Stock 302 so far..
How do you like it just stock? It's too late since I already tore down the engine, might as well build it right. It's a good thing I did, though. I found a crack in one of the connecting rod journals.
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
How do you like it just stock? It's too late since I already tore down the engine, might as well build it right. It's a good thing I did, though. I found a crack in one of the connecting rod journals.
It's still a blast even though it's mostly stock. The only thing I've added to the engine is the Heddman 88400 headers. The rear axle being too low (4.10 w/Torsen) more than makes up for it being a stock engine. For now.. As well as the 5 speed.

I've got the 3.73 rear gears and install kit but have yet to install them. I should probably go to an even higher rear gear since I plan to eventually add a Kenne Belle blower.

I really do love the truck. It's exactly what I always wanted. Since I was 17 or 18 years old..
 

Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Glad to hear.

I kind of chilled out a bit on making tooooo much power. It's easy to forget the Ranger is light when the existing engine is weaker than piss. :LOL:
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
Yeah, the truck goes 0-60mph RIGHT F'N NOW.

Sure, a modern Kia could probably accelerate faster these days when it comes down to it, but the truck has character, sound, and torque, all of which no normal passenger car will have much of these days..

So, what have you got done on the Ranger lately? Oh, by the way, we have a thread for that now too. lol
 

Thed

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
631
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Raleigh, NC
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I power washed the mold off yesterday and sat in it, and a whole load of feelings came back of missing that truck.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top